Designed By Heather: Custom Shore Excursions

One of the many benefits of booking a group cruise with Cruise Specialists is the company's exclusive shore excursion program, designed by in-house Shore Excursion Specialist Heather Visser. In this interview, Heather discusses a special shore excursion at Machu Picchu on Holland America Line's Grand South America cruise, beginning January 2008 on the Prinsedam. Heather has also designed a variety of new excursions for guests on the upcoming ms Amsterdam world cruise. These exceptional tours are expertly crafted by professionals who have been to these unique areas and help provide Cruise Specialists customers with an extraordinary experience that is a cut above that offered to the masses, says Greg Nacco, director of Cruise Specialists. Our tours give customers the opportunity to get away from the crowds and see the real culture and sights that they've read about. During the Palaces of India overland tour, Cruise Specialists guests will be welcomed by a special Baradari dinner show and will stay at two former Maharaja palaces featured in the book 1,000 Places to See Before you Die. In Hong Kong, they can shop at one of the worlds largest shopping malls, relax at a luxurious first class spa, and stay at the renowned Shangri-La Hotel. A Scottish Heritage at Larnach Castle tour allows guests a unique opportunity to view a traditional Haggis Ceremony and explore New Zealands only castle, located in Dunedin against a breathtaking mountain backdrop. Travelers can participate in over 40 customized outings throughout the world cruise including six special overland tours to select destinations. The tours cover a range of activity levels, offering more strenuous pursuits for adventure seekers such as climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge or playing elephant polo in India, as well as easy activity tours consisting of train rides, river cruises and sightseeing by private car. We really listened to what our customers wanted in the tours when developing our offerings this year including requests to experience the regions most luxurious and sought-after hotel properties and build in more time for shopping, Nacco says. We will continue to expand our exclusive shore excursion program through valuable feedback and input from our guests. The Cruise Specialists shore excursion department creates customized tours for a variety of group sailings throughout the year. Each tour is escorted and monitored by knowledgeable Cruise Specialists hosts who sail alongside the passengers in the group. A new feature on the Cruise Specialists Web site called Where is Heather allows guests to test their geography skills for a chance to win shipboard credits by guessing what exotic locale Heather is pictured touring each week.

Blip | October 9, 2007

Tags:. .cruises. .throughout. .hong. .participate. .destinations